When
She’s a priestess of the
Being of that bloodline, Noel is the priestess of the sapling— the young tree— that Leon brought back to the kingdom.
In the
Inside the room, she’s gripping the handrail as she walks.
She survived a wound that was almost fatal, thanks to
After a while she lived a convalescent life, but now she’s doing rehab for the next school year.
Sweating, she manages to keep walking.
The elf Yumeria is cheering her on.
«Noel‑sama, do your best!»
Noel almost laughs at Yumeria’s cute encouragement.
«Fine, stop the weird dancing.»
«Huh? It’s a dance for cheering, you know.»
Yumeria, a bit clumsy, works as a servant in the baron’s mansion.
Now she’s Noel’s personal attendant, taking care of her daily needs.
Noel thinks to herself.
*(Once this is over, I have to study, and after that—)* At the Bartholomew Baronet House she’s treated as an important guest for the time being.
Rumors are spreading that she’ll become Leon’s concubine, and Leon’s parents are being apologetic toward her.
Originally Leon’s parents were against a concubine.
The reason lies with
They already have fiancés— how can there be a third?
That’s the vibe.
Leon is exasperated, and they feel sympathy for Noel, who has no choice but to become a concubine because of the circumstances.
But not everyone in the house is kind to Noel.
Someone who dislikes Noel walks into the room.
«Hey, Yumeria! The job I gave you isn’t finished yet!»
The person is Leon’s younger sister, Finley Fou Bartholomew.
With a bob cut and, unlike
Yumeria hurriedly apologizes.
«I‑I’m sorry, Finley‑sama! B‑but you said the lady mustn’t be spoiled.»
Finley stamps her foot.
«Use your brain a little! If you do it without Mom finding out, it’ll be fine!»
She’s been pampered because she’s a girl, but the kingdom’s situation is changing.
If things keep like this she’ll have trouble finding a bride, so, just like Jenna, Finley has started her «bride training.»
«Why does it have to be like this! My sister can’t even get married, and I can’t even buy a slave! At least let me stay the same until I graduate!»
The kingdom’s circumstances have shifted dramatically.
Finley isn’t the only one who feels like the ladder’s been pulled out from under her.
Seeing Finley break down, crying that she wants an elf slave, Noel sighs.
*(This is cruel.)* The kingdom and the republic handle things differently.
They don’t treat slaves like personal staff you can parade around.
So Noel can’t quite grasp Finley’s feelings.
«Hey, just give up already. It’d be better to just do the bride training honestly.»
Finley glares at Noel and snaps back.
«Don’t you talk to a freeloader like me! You’re just that idiot brother’s lover!»
Leon once said he loves three women, the third being you.
So Finley’s words aren’t entirely wrong.
«A man keeps a lover to bear children. Don’t get cocky, okay?»
Yumeria trembles.
Noel shouts at Finley.
«Shut up, you noisy brat!»
«What! What did you say!»
Noel’s naturally a big‑sister type.
She was once tormented by a yandere boyfriend named Erik, but she’s always been strong‑willed.
«Can you say the same thing to Mom? There aren’t many men, so it’s inevitable! Face reality already.»
When women held more power, having a lover was accepted because men were scarce.
The kingdom wants to curb the power of local lords, but too few men is a problem.
Strong women didn’t want to have many children anyway.
Giving birth is a life‑or‑death gamble; the more you have, the higher the risk.
Thus, women eventually accepted having concubines.
Now men are the dominant side.
«Angelica said even a boy as young as
Finley looks away.
«But if I go to the academy, I can pick any guy—»
«Your sister says she’ll graduate unmarried, you know?»
Facing reality, Finley looks like she might burst into tears.
She storms out of the room.
«Noisy! You idiot brother’s lover!»
Finley leaves, and Noel sighs in the empty room, but Ryus soon enters.
He must have overheard the conversation.
«Madam!»
Yumeria gasps, and Ryus apologizes with a troubled expression.
«I’m sorry Finley caused trouble. While Noel’s struggling with rehab, that brat is being selfish as usual.»
Noel gives a nervous smile.
«W‑Well, I got heated… I’m sorry.»
Ryus seats Noel and starts chatting.
These days Ryus is officially the wife of Valkas— the baron’s lady.
Because of Leon’s position, no one dares openly complain about that.
«Noel‑chan, how’s life here? Any inconveniences?»
«It’s better than before.»
«Good, I’m glad.»
Ryus finds Noel easy to talk to.
Angelica’s status is too high, and Libya’s situation is different, so Ryus isn’t sure how to approach them, but Noel just clicks with her.
Ryus confides a worry to Noel.
«—Did you hear that my child might marry the princess?»
«Yes. Angelica told me.»
«That kid never seems normal. She should consider Noel’s feelings too.»
Having heard about Noel’s background, Ryus also has some complaints about Leon.
Noel is liked by Leon’s family.
«I wish you’d just marry Nixx instead.»
«Marry my brother‑in‑law? My position is delicate, that’d be tough.»
Nixx has it rough too— he’s Leon’s older brother, the head of the baron family, and bound for a sure rise.
So he gets countless arranged‑marriage proposals.
To Ryus, they’re all princesses floating on clouds; none as down‑to‑earth as Noel.
«Noel‑chan, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind— I’ll support you.»
«Thank you.»
Seeing Noel answer with a smile, Ryus sighs, «This is the kind of girl I wanted.»
Then Colin bursts in.
«Noel‑onee‑chan! I caught a bug!»
«Nice work.»
Ryus scolds him.
«Colin, I told you Noel‑chan is in rehab.»
«But brother’s busy, Finley’s angry, nobody plays with me. If Leon‑brother were here, he’d teach me all kinds of tricks.»
When Colin complains that no one plays with him, Noel beckons him.
«Don’t sulk. Don’t sulk. I’ll keep you company.»
«Yay!»
Seeing Colin’s honest joy, Ryus tears up.
«Leon used to be this cute too. And now he makes a good girl like you his lover.»
Noel can only give a wry smile, but life at the Bartholomew Baronet House isn’t so bad.